Tiran Alles released on bail

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 June 2007, 16:48 GMT]
The Colombo Chief Magistrate Ms Sarojini Kusala Weerawardene released Mr.Tiran Alles, publisher of Sinhala weekly Mawbima on heavy bail Wednesday, legal sources in Colombo said. He was ordered to furnish cash bail of Rs.500,000 and with three sureties entering into a sum of Rs 1m. He was also ordered to report to the Terrorism Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Police every Sunday. The court also warned him that it would cancel the bail for obstruction of justice if he was found coercing witnesses related to the case.

Mr Alles was arrested on May 30 by the TIU of the police on a report alleging that he had been involved in transferring funds to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). However, he denied the allegation in a statement to the TIU, sources said.

Mr. Alles was arrested while being warded in a private hospital for treatment. The Colombo Chief Magistrate remanded him till June 13. The Chief Magistrate on that date told the counsel who appeared for Mr.Tiran Alles that he would consider the bail application on the next date.

The State Counsel objected for releasing the suspect on bail before the completion of the investigation. He further submitted that the court could remand the suspect under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Mr.Romesh de Silva, President Counsel who appeared for the suspect with Attorney at-Law Mr.G.G.Arulpiragasam begged the court to release the suspect on bail as the police investigation was being conducted with a political motive.

The court rejected the application of the State Counsel and ordered the release of the suspect on cash and surety bail, legal sources said.

Mr.Tiran Alles was the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority when Mr.Mangala Samaraweera was the Minister of Ports and Aviation.

He had been a close confidante of Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse when the latter contested the presidential election in December 2005. Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse considered Mr.Alles as a political enemy due to his close connection with Mr.Mangala Samaraweera and Mr.Sripathi Sooriyarachchi. Both had been removed from the posts of minister following the difference of opinion between them and Mr.Rajapakse.

Meanwhile, an electronic media reported in its night news bulletin that an unidentified gang following his release on bail had attacked the house of Mr.Tiran Alles Wednesday evening.

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